Lakshmana, resolute and swift, took up a spade and began to dig a deep pit at the side of the mighty Viradha, whose terrifying form still lay upon the battlefield. Together, Rama and Lakshmana lifted Viradha—his ears wide as conch-shells, his voice thundering with a dreadful roar now that his neck was freed—and cast him, bellowing, into the pit they had prepared. Their hearts rejoiced as they hurled the roaring demon into the earth, for despite his terrifying cries, the two brothers remained steadfast and undaunted. They had realized, through their struggle, that Viradha could not be slain by sharp weapons. The demon himself had revealed to Rama that his death would not come by any blade, and he had spoken of his own wish for release. Remembering Viradha’s words, Rama and Lakshmana resolved to end him in the pit. As they cast the powerful demon into the deep hole, his cries echoed through the great forest, but Rama and Lakshmana, their fears dispelled, rejoiced. With stones, they covered Viradha, sealing the demon’s fate. Having accomplished this great deed, the two princes, bearing bows adorned with gold, took Sita with them and wandered joyfully through the vast forest. Their radiance was like the sun and moon shining together in the sky. After this victory, Rama embraced Sita, comforting her with his gentle words. Turning to Lakshmana, Rama, whose splendor shone brightly even amidst the wilderness, spoke of the harshness of the forest, admitting that such wild places were unfamiliar to them. He suggested that they seek out the sage Sharabhanga, renowned for his ascetic wealth and wisdom. Thus, Rama led Sita and Lakshmana toward the hermitage of Sharabhanga. As they approached, Rama beheld a wondrous sight near the sage, whose soul was purified by asceticism and who possessed divine power. There, in the sky, Rama saw the lord of the gods—radiant, adorned, and dressed in spotless garments—hovering above the earth. This divine being, worshipped by many great souls, rode in a celestial chariot drawn by green horses, moving effortlessly through the heavens. From a distance, Rama saw the god shining like the rising sun, his form resembling a mass of white clouds and the luminous orb of the moon. A spotless parasol, adorned with marvelous garlands, shaded him, and two exquisite fly-whisks with golden handles were waved above his head by noble women. Gandharvas, gods, Siddhas, and eminent sages surrounded the chariot, offering praise and worship. The god, situated in the sky, was being lauded with beautiful words and conversed with Sharabhanga, accompanied by Vāsava, the lord of the gods. Rama, pointing out the scene to Lakshmana, said, “Behold, Lakshmana, that radiant, splendid, and marvelous chariot, shining like the sun and moving in the sky. Those are the horses of Puruhūta—Śakra’s divine steeds, as we have heard in tales of old. And see, those hundreds of youthful, tiger-like men standing around, all adorned with earrings and swords, their chests broad and arms strong as iron. They wear garments with red rays and blaze with necklaces like fire, each appearing ever youthful, as if twenty-five years old. Such is always the age of the gods, O Saumitri.” Rama then asked Lakshmana and Sita to wait while he went forward to learn more about this radiant being in the chariot. As Rama approached Sharabhanga’s hermitage, the lord of Śacī—Indra himself—having spoken with the sage, prepared to depart. Indra told the assembled gods, “Rama is coming here, but until he speaks with me, lead me away to completion; then he will be worthy to see me. I have fulfilled my purpose and am ready to depart, for Rama must accomplish a great and difficult deed.” With these words, Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt, honored the ascetic and departed heavenward in his chariot drawn by celestial horses. Once Indra had departed, Rama, accompanied by Sita and Lakshmana, approached Sharabhanga, who sat serenely at his sacrificial fire. With reverence, the three clasped the sage’s feet, received his blessing, and sat down with his permission, accepting his hospitality. Rama then asked about Indra’s visit, and Sharabhanga recounted all that had transpired. “Indra, O Rama, came to grant me a boon and to take me to Brahma’s world—a place won by fierce austerity and difficult to attain for those lacking self-control. Yet, knowing you were near, O tiger among men, I did not wish to go to Brahma’s world without first seeing you, my beloved guest. Having now met you, O great-souled and righteous one, I am ready to depart for the highest heaven. I have conquered auspicious, inexhaustible worlds. O best among men, accept from me the Brahmanical and celestial realms.” Thus addressed by the venerable sage Sharabhanga, Rama, skilled in all scriptures and steadfast in virtue, prepared to reply.